November 23, 2011

Windermere Art Group (WAG) Art Exhibit through December 31

The Windermere Art Group (WAG) is celebrating their one-year anniversary by holding their first collaborative community art show at the Southwest Library through December 31. WAG members are artists who live in the Southwest Orlando areas of Dr. Phillips, Winter Garden and Windermere. The members meet weekly to paint, share information and friendship. They are thankful for the studio space provided by the St. Luke's School of the Arts program and its director, Ben Adams. The artists range in age with their most senior member in her 90's. The artists paint in several mediums including oil, acrylic, gauche, pastel and watercolor. One thing they all have in common is the joy of creativity through their art. (acrylic painting in photo Seascape; artist: Pat Appel)

If you are interested in finding out more information about the art, the artists or joining the Windermere Art Group, please contact their founder and facilitator Debby Schmaltz at DebSchmaltz AT gmail DOT COM

Holiday Marzipan Display through December 31

Marzipan artists Maria Haro and Gabriela Speller are displaying their holiday-themed marzipan pieces at the Southwest Library through December 31.
Maria creates beautiful handcrafted marzipan napkin ring pieces by merging the traditional art form of marzipan from her birth country of Ecuador with the holidays - American style. Gabriela provides her design skills to add the finishing touch to the display. Maria and Gabriela may be contacted at marzipan.holders@gmail.com.

November 11, 2011

Southwest Book Club Meets November 15

Join the Southwest Book Club this month to discuss the NYT's bestseller book The Help by Kathryn Stockett. A spirited debut novel that explores the Civil Rights movement through the relationships among a young white woman and two African-American maids in 1960's Mississippi. Recently, released as a movie.

Anyone age 18 or older is welcome to attend. The book club meets monthly at the Southwest Branch Library.

For more information, please call 407.835.7323 or email southwest@ocls.info.

Discussion Questions
If you are unable to attend the meeting or you would like to join our discussion, you can share your thoughts or respond to the discussion questions below. Simply click "Comments" located at the bottom of this post. Join the discussion!

1. Who was your favorite character? Why?

2. How much of a person's character would you say is shaped by the times in which they live?

3. Do you think that had Aibileen stayed working for Miss Elizabeth, that Mae Mobley would have grown up to be racist like her mother? Do you think racism is inherent, or taught?

4. Do you think there are still vestiges of racism in relationships where people of color work for people who are white? Have you heard stories of parents who put away their valuable jewelry before their nanny comes? Paradoxically, they trust the person to look after their child but not their diamond rings?

5. What did you think about Minny's pie for Miss Hilly? Would you have gone as far as Minny did for revenge?